Imagine being a tiny kitten born outside, left to navigate the world all on your own. That was Cleo’s story until fate intervened and brought her into the caring hands of Shelby Thorpe, founder of Shelby’s Kitten Safe House.
“Cleo was born to a feral cat mom and left to fend for herself. She was the only survivor of her litter,” Shelby shared. The poor little one was discovered shivering and in dire need of help as her feral mom was nowhere to be found.
Without hesitation, Shelby and her team decided to step in through a TNR project. “She was fairly active when I got her but had fleas and the beginning of what looked like eye infections.” With round-the-clock bottle-feeding, tender care, and a cozy bed, Cleo slowly regained her strength.
“After a few days of intensive care, Cleo was strong enough to eat from the bottle without struggles,” Shelby said with relief. However, little Cleo longed for a constant companion, and that’s when she met the resident cat extraordinaire, Polar.
Polar, another rescue baby under Shelby’s wing, took his role as a foster assistant seriously. “Bath time meant bath time. Cleo loved it,” Shelby chuckled. Polar embraced his responsibilities, becoming Cleo’s mentor and playmate.
Over the weeks, Cleo flourished under Polar’s guidance, learning the art of play with gentle encouragement. Even when introduced to other foster kittens, Cleo remained Polar’s little shadow, always returning for a comforting snuggle after her adventures.
“Cleo was raised by Polar, and she’s his little shadow,” Shelby shared, emphasizing their strong bond. The dynamic duo not only played hard but also snuggled even harder, creating a heartwarming connection.
Now, Cleo has grown into a confident, spirited cat with a vibrant personality. “She chatters when she sees birds but only lets me get small video clips before she gets distracted and wants to be petted,” Shelby laughed.
With a foster family catering to her every whim and a devoted cat buddy showing her the ropes, Cleo’s journey from a feral beginning to a life filled with love is truly heartening.
